3.  What the #${at}%???
    by Francis A. Ney, Jr.
    n4zhg{at}icqmail.com

Exclusive to TLE

You have to wonder about the priorities of our police departments,
particularly in New York and New Jersey.

9-11 notwithstanding, law enforcement in those areas have the reputation of
being rude, overbearing, overzealous, and http://www.villagevoice.com/specials/diallo/>sorely lacking in fire
discipline to put it mildly.  One would think department brass
would be concerned about things like official oppression, abuse of police
powers, and crimes committed under color of authority, not to mention the
enforcement of unconstitutional laws like USA PATRIOT, gun control, and the
war on some drug users.

Instead, officials at http://http://www.panynj.gov/pap/papframe.HTM>The Port Authority of
New York and New Jersey Police decided to get cranky over a TV
show.  Not just any TV show, but a show where five flaming poofs try to
intravenously transfuse some fashion sense into a hopeless straight man. 
Yes, I'm talking about
http://http://www.bravotv.com/Queer_Eye_for_the_Straight_Guy/>
QueerEye For The Straight Guy.

A recent victim of their attentions was a 29 year old PATH officer who was
dating a model.  Almost immediately upon broadcast, http://www.usatoday.com/life/2003-08-21-queer-eye-cop_x.htm> the
wheels were set in motion to investigate the matter.

Now people who know me know I'm not exactly a cheerleader for cops in
general, but this disturbs me.  First Amendment issues aside, this doesn't
even come close to the level of violations occuring on a daily basis that
aren't even acknowleged, let alone investigated by whatever Internal
Affairs whitewasher is lucky enough to get the job. Scrutinizing an officer
for having the temerity to appear on a TV show without begging permission,
and for horrors! associating with five known queers
sends exactly the wrong message to the general public and to police
officers about what "offenses" merit disciplinary action.

The late news is that http://www.advocate.com/new_news.asp?ID=9650&sd=08/21/03> the
brass have decided clear this officer.  I'm still wondering why
the question even came up.  These officers are enforcing unconstitutional
laws on a daily basis.  That's an issue more worthy of
their time.

--
Frank is a freelance computer consultant and professional gadfly. His main
hobbies are guns, computers, ham radio and libertarian politics. He lives
in West Virginia, along with his SO of eight years, a number of horses, an
aging wolfdog and a cat that thinks he has 6 legs. He occasionally
entertains antlered rats (aka whitetail deer), foxes, turkeys, woodpeckers
and pheasant just because they show up for the free food. When he can he
volunteers
with the local fire department as an EMT.

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